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Sonnet 90
Shakespeare's Sonnets Translation Sonnet 91
Some glory in their birth, some in their skill, Some in their wealth, some in their body’s force, Some in their garments, though new-fangled ill, Some in their hawks and hounds, some in their horse; And every humor hath his adjunct pleasure, Wherein it finds a joy above the rest. But these particulars are not my measure; All these I better in one general best. Thy love is better than high birth to me, Richer than wealth, prouder than garments' cost, Of more delight than hawks or horses be; And having thee, of all men’s pride I boast; Wretched in this alone, that thou mayst take All this away, and me most wretched make.
Some people revel in their social status, some in their skill,
Some in their wealth, some in their body's strength,
Some in their clothes, even though they are badly made,
Some in their hunting birds and dogs, some in their horses;
And every personality has its own kind of pleasure,
In which it finds pleasure above all the others.
But these preferences do not matter to me;
All these I improve on with one pleasure that is general.
Your love is better than high birth to me,
Richer than wealth, more impressive than expensive clothes,
More delightful to me than hunting birds or horses;
And having you, I boast my pride over all other men.
I am unhappy only for this reason: that you can take
All this away, and make me the most unhappy.
